Multi-tool

ABSTRACT

A multi-tool includes a cylindrical body and a head extended from an end of the cylindrical body, the head to be pivoted between a first position with the head aligned with the cylindrical body and a second position with the head oriented at an angle to the cylindrical body, the head including a socket to receive an insert bit, the cylindrical body including a cavity to store the insert bit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/953,892 filed on Dec. 26, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference. In this instance, the day that is 12 months after the filing date of the provisional application falls on a Saturday (i.e., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020). As such, the period of pendency of the provisional application is extended to the next succeeding business day (i.e., Monday, Dec. 28, 2020). See 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(3).

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a multi-tool and, more specifically, relates to a multi-tool for use with a bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Bit Driver Multi-Tool (100)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a bit driver multi-tool, with a head of the bit driver multi-tool in a first position.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are elevation views of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of an example of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another example of a bit driver multi-tool, and FIGS. 10B, 10C, and 10D are enlarged cross-sectional views of a portion of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 10A from the perspective of line A-A.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1, with the head of the bit driver multi-tool in a second position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example of a bit driver multi-tool, with a plurality of insert bits.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate examples of use of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

Spoke Wrench and Valve Core Multi-Tool (700)

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of an example of a spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate examples of use of the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Bit Driver Multi-Tool (100)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a bit driver multi-tool, with a head of the bit driver multi-tool in a first position.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are elevation views of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1. FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of an example of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another example of a bit driver multi-tool, and FIGS. 10B, 10C, and 10D are enlarged cross-sectional views of a portion of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 10A from the perspective of line A-A.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1, with the head of the bit driver multi-tool in a second position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example of a bit driver multi-tool, with a plurality of insert bits.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate examples of use of the bit driver multi-tool of FIG. 1.

In one example, bit driver multi-tool 100 (referred to hereinafter as bit driver 100) includes a cylindrical body 110 and a head 120 extended from body 110. More specifically, in one implementation, body 110 has a first end 111 and a second end 112, with head 120 provided at (adjacent or near) first end 111.

In one implementation, head 120 is pivotally or rotatably coupled with body 110 (for example, by a pin 122) such that head 120 may be swiveled, pivoted or rotated between a first position (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1) and a second position (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11). In one example, in the first position, head 120 is aligned with body 110 such that an axis 129 of head 120 is parallel (substantially) with an axis 119 of body 110. In examples, in the second position, head 120 is oriented at an angle to body 110 such that axis 129 of head 120 is oriented at an angle to axis 119 of body 110. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 11, head 120 is oriented at an angle to body 110 such that axis 129 of head 120 is perpendicular (substantially) to axis 119 of body 110. In examples, head 120 may be swiveled, pivoted or rotated in multiple directions to establish multiple positions of head 120. In one implementation, head 120 may be swiveled, pivoted or rotated in two directions (for example, to the left and to the right) to establish two second positions of head 120.

In examples, the first position of head 120 represents a neutral position of head 120. In one implementation, with head 120 in the neutral position, bit driver 100 may be stowed or stored, as disclosed herein. In examples, the first position and the second position(s) of head 120 represent operable positions of head 120, as disclosed herein.

In the illustrated example, head 120 is a hex head 124 and includes a hex socket 126 to receive a hex insert bit, as an example of an insert bit, as disclosed herein. As such, in examples, head 120 of bit driver 100 may be used as a hex key wrench or as a driver for a hex insert bit.

In one example, body 110 of bit driver 100 includes a plurality of cavities or pockets 130 for holding or storing insert bits 140. In one implementation, pockets 130 are provided in a peripheral surface 114 of body 110 and are each sized to receive a respective insert bit 140. In the illustrated example, pockets 130 include two rows of four pockets each spaced around a periphery of body 110. As such, in the illustrated example, a total of eight insert bits 140 may be stored in pockets 130. Although two rows of four pockets each are illustrated and described, the number and/or configuration or arrangement of pockets 130 may vary.

In one example, O-rings 146 are fit around body 110 and insert bits 140 to help hold or secure insert bits 140 within respective pockets 130. In one implementation, grooves 116 are formed in peripheral surface 114 of body 110 to position respective O-rings 146 around body 110 and respective insert bits 140.

In one example, magnets 148 are provided within pockets 130 to help hold or retain insert bits 140 within respective pockets 130. In one implementation, magnets 148 are positioned within respective holes 132 provided in a bottom (base or floor) of pockets 130. In one example, a common hole extends between two opposite pockets 130 such that one magnet 148 is provided within the common hole. As such, in one implementation, four magnets 148 are used for eight pockets 130. Although illustrated as being cylindrical in shape, magnets 148 may be of a circular, rectangular, or other shape.

In one implementation, a magnet 128 is provided within head 120, and a magnet 118 is provided at second end 112 of body 110. As such, in examples, magnet 128 may hold a respective insert bit 140 within head 120, and magnet 118 may be used to magnetically couple bit driver 100 with a magnetic surface or object.

In one implementation, a detent 123 may be provided at (adjacent or near) first end 111 of body 110 to help maintain a position of head 120 as head 120 is moved between a neutral position (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1) and a swiveled, pivoted or rotated position (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11).

In one implementation, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, one or more of pockets 130 may include a depression or recess 134 in a bottom (base or floor) of a respective pocket 130 at (adjacent or near) a first end thereof. As such, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 10C, a first end of a respective insert bit 140 may be pushed into recess 134 (as represented, for example, by arrow 101) to tip an opposite, second end of insert bit 140 away from or out of the respective pocket 130 (as represented, for example, by arrow 102). As such, in examples, insert bit 140 may be more easily removed from a respective pocket 130.

In one implementation, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, one or more of pockets 130 may include a guiding surface or ramp 136 at (adjacent or near) an opposite, second end thereof (i.e., at (adjacent or near) an end of a respective pocket 130 opposite the first end thereof). As such, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 10D, a respective insert bit 140 may be pushed toward ramp 136 (as represented, for example, by arrow 103) such that ramp 136 guides or directs the opposite, second end of insert bit 140 away from or out of the respective pocket 130 (as represented, for example, by arrow 104). As such, in examples, insert bit 140 may be more easily removed from a respective pocket 130.

In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 12, bit driver 100 includes pockets 130 for storing insert bits 140 having, for example, the following tips and/or features: Hex: 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm; Torx® compatible: T10, T25, T30; Flathead #3.5; Phillips #2; spoke wrench and valve core wrench.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate examples of use of bit driver 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, head 120 of bit driver 100 may be used as a driver for an insert bit 140. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14, head 120 of bit driver 100 may be used as a hex key wrench.

Spoke Wrench and Valve Core Multi-Tool (700)

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of an example of a spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate examples of use of the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool of FIG. 15.

In one example, spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool 700 (referred to hereinafter as multi-tool 700) includes a body 710, a head 720, and a shank 730. In the illustrated example, head 720 extends from one end of body 710, and shank 730 extends from an opposite end of body 710.

In one implementation, body 710 has a medial axis 711 and shank 730 has a longitudinal axis 731. In one implementation, longitudinal axis 731 of shank 730 is offset from medial axis 711 of body 710. In addition, in one implementation, a midline 721 of head 720 is coaxial or aligned with medial axis 711 of body 710. As such, multi tool 700 is asymmetrical about a plane extending along medial axis 711 of body 710 through a center of head 720.

In one example, body 710 has an opening 712 formed therethrough such that multi-tool 700 may be used as a wrench. In one implementation, as disclosed herein, opening 712 is sized and shaped such that multi-tool 700 may be used as a tool for loosening and/or tightening or removing and/or installing a valve core of a valve stem of an inner tube or a wheel rim, such as an inner tube or a wheel rim of a bicycle. In one implementation, opening 712 is an enclosed opening.

In one implementation, head 720 has an open end 722 with parallel sides or tines 724 that form “jaws”. As such, multi-tool 700 may be used as an open-end wrench. In one implementation, as disclosed herein, open end 722 is sized and shaped such that multi-tool 700 may be used as a tool for loosening and/or tightening a spoke (or a nipple of a spoke) of a wheel rim, such as a wheel rim of a bicycle.

In examples, for use of multi-tool 700, shank 730 may be gripped by a user and/or driven by a bit driver, such as, for example, bit driver multi-tool 100 (see, for example, FIG. 1). As such, in one implementation, shank 730 is shaped for insertion into a head of a bit driver, such as, for example, head 120 of bit driver multi-tool 100 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an example of use of multi-tool 700. For example, multi-tool 700 may be used as a spoke wrench. More specifically, head 720 may be used as a spoke wrench. As such, open end 722 is configured to engage a spoke or a spoke nipple of a wheel rim, such as, for example, a spoke nipple 797 of a wheel rim of a bicycle. Thus, with head 720, spoke nipple 797 may be loosened and/or tightened and/or removed and/or installed. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 19, multi-tool 700 may be operated or driven by a bit driver, such as, for example, bit driver multi-tool 100.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate an example of use of multi-tool 700. For example, multi-tool 700 may be used as a valve core tool. More specifically, opening 712 in body 710 may be used as a valve core tool. As such, opening 712 is configured to engage a valve core of a valve stem of an inner tube or a wheel rim, such as, for example, a valve core 799 of a valve stem an inner tube or a wheel rim of a bicycle. Thus, with opening 712 in body 710, valve core 799 may be loosened and/or tightened and/or removed and/or installed. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 21, multi-tool 700 may be operated or driven by a bit driver, such as, for example, bit driver multi-tool 100.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-tool, comprising: a cylindrical body; and a head extended from an end of the cylindrical body, the head to be pivoted between a first position with the head aligned with the cylindrical body and a second position with the head oriented at an angle to the cylindrical body, the head including a socket to receive an insert bit, the cylindrical body including a cavity to store the insert bit.
 2. The multi-tool of claim 1, the cavity provided in a peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.
 3. The multi-tool of claim 1, the cavity comprising a plurality of cavities to store a plurality of insert bits.
 4. The multi-tool of claim 3, the plurality of cavities spaced around a periphery of the cylindrical body.
 5. The multi-tool of claim 1, further comprising: an O-ring to fit around the cylindrical body and the insert bit to secure the insert bit within the cavity.
 6. The multi-tool of claim 5, further comprising: a groove formed in a peripheral surface of the body to position the O-ring around the cylindrical body and the insert bit.
 7. The multi-tool of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet provided within the cavity to retain the insert bit within the cavity.
 8. The multi-tool of claim 1, the cavity including a depression in a bottom of the cavity at an end of the cavity.
 9. The multi-tool of claim 8, the cavity including a ramp at an opposite end of the cavity.
 10. The multi-tool of claim 1, the socket comprising a hex socket and the insert bit comprising a hex insert bit.
 11. The multi-tool of claim 1, the head comprising a hex head to be used as a hex key wrench.
 12. A multi-tool, comprising: a cylindrical body; and a head pivotally coupled with the cylindrical body, the head including a socket to receive an insert bit of a plurality of insert bits, the cylindrical body including a plurality of pockets to store the plurality of insert bits.
 13. The multi-tool of claim 12, the plurality of pockets spaced around a periphery of the cylindrical body.
 14. The multi-tool of claim 12, further comprising: an O-ring to fit around the cylindrical body and a plurality of the insert bits to secure the insert bits within the pockets.
 15. The multi-tool of claim 14, further comprising: a groove formed in a peripheral surface of the body to position the O-ring around the cylindrical body and the insert bits.
 16. The multi-tool of claim 12, further comprising: a magnet provided within at least one of the pockets to retain a respective one of the insert bits within the at least one of the pockets.
 17. The multi-tool of claim 12, at least one of the pockets including a depression in a bottom thereof at an end thereof.
 18. The multi-tool of claim 12, at least one of the pockets including a ramp at an end thereof.
 19. The multi-tool of claim 12, the insert bits having at least one of a Hex tip, a Torx® compatible tip, a flathead tip, or a Phillips tip.
 20. The multi-tool of claim 12, one of the insert bits comprising a spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool, the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool including a body, a head extended from one end of the body, and a shank extended from an opposite end of the body, the spoke wrench and valve core multi-tool being asymmetrical about a plane extending along a medial axis of the body through a center of the head, the body having an opening formed therethrough, and the head having an open end with parallel tines. 